Re: [ga] Re: Travel to Stockholm

["Patrick Corliss" <patrick@corliss.net>]

Dear Mr Lynn (or do you prefer Stuart?)

On Sat, 12 May 2001 09:09:28 -0700, you wrote:

> Dear Patrick:
>
> Please do not enlarge the problem by ascribing motives to me that
> have nothing to do with what is a straightforward administrative
> issue.

Please accept my apologies if my comments were hurtful.  I am very well
aware that you are newly appointed to the position and that I know nothing
about you personally.  I did not mean to ascribe any motives to your
remarks.  On reflection, one sentence, in particular, was misguided and I
withdraw it unreservedly.

> > However, I would have thought that you would, at least, pretend to
> > welcome genuine grass-roots participation.

I trust that you will understand this was not a well-considered remark.

> This has nothing to do with anyone's views of the GA,
> "concerted efforts to undermine the GA", potential Individual
> Constituencies, your qualifications, or whatever.

It is nevertheless true that there has been a great deal of difficulty in
achieving effective results at a grass-roots level.  I trust that we may be
able to work together to overcome underlying structural difficulties.

I mentioned my qualifications and expertise to indicate that I have the
capacity to perform a valuable role. This opportunity would be largely lost
were I not able to attend any of the physical meetings.  I do see that as a
worthwhile point to balance against the administrative issues involved.

> It has nothing to
> do with whether or not I welcome "grass roots participation" -- in
> fact, I personally welcome all participation.

Thank you.  I look forward to your support.

> Frankly, you know nothing of my views on any of these issues. You
> have never spoken with me about any of them. To be quite candid, I
> have not been long enough in this position to have any well-formed
> views on these matters. My views will ultimately be formed by
> listening to reasoned and constructive discussions, and by reading
> what people have to say -- and I will try hard not to be influenced
> by those who ascribe all sorts of nasty motivations to people they do
> not even know. I understand there are lots of people out there who
> have nothing better to do than engage in those kinds of behaviors,
> but you I know are not one of them.

Thank you.  I try to be both fair and constructive.  I would value the
opportunity to provide reasoned and constructive discussion.  As I
say I am most disappointed that we will lose this valuable opportunity.

> This, as I said, is a straightforward administrative matter. As I
> understand it, ICANN's budgets are not used for covering SO expenses.
> This does not single out the DNSO or the GA, but applies across the
> all SO's. Perhaps your opinion is that this should change, and the
> budget should be adapted to accommodate certain kinds of SO expenses.
> In which case, that is a matter to be pursued through process,
> ultimately requiring Board approval. We cannot make exceptions on an
> ad hoc basis and be fair to all constituencies.

Whilst I disagree with the last sentence I can understand that a desire for
a systematic process would influence your thinking. Other factors would, in
some cases, allow a different approach.  There is, perhaps, a danger in
making generalised statements as they cannot cover all likely scenarios.

> My comment about expectations is equally simple. You apparently
> "assumed" that ICANN would cover your expenses, but never checked in
> advance. Apparently that approach fits within your framework of
> making decisions. I can tell you that it does not fit within my
> framework or those of most people that I know.

As you know life sometimes requires muti-dimensional thinking.  I would
prefer to view the issue as decision-making under uncertainty.  The reality
is that I did make certain inquiries and balanced the results of those
inquiries with other available information when making my decision.

I do not consider my decision was incorrect although the absence of
travel funding is certainly disadvantageous to achieving the most
favourable outcome possible.  I hope that the situation can improve.

> If the acceptance of a
> volunteer position depended upon travel for which I have no sources
> of support, I would most certainly check in advance as to what is the
> relevant policy before agreeing to accept.

I did make inquiries and received assurances which appear to be incorrect.
It is my view, however, that ascribing me with any faulty decision-making
behaviour is not conducive to providing a reasoned explanation of ICANN's
administrative processes.

> My comment about no time before Stockholm was intended to mean that
> the chance of a grant application being made and accepted in time is
> extremely unlikely. If you know of any possible source for which this
> is not the case, I would of course be delighted to write a letter of
> support.

My own comments had a similar intention viz that there was no opportunity to
obtain funding from an alternative source.  I would have thought that highly
experienced ICANN staff in your employ would be more familiar with funding
opportunities for ICANN conferences than a newly-appointed Alternate Chair
living far away in Australia.

Nevertheless I thank you for your offer of a letter of support should this
be required.  Sadly it looks as if it may not be a likely prospect.

> So I suggest we focus on the matter at hand and not attribute all
> kinds of extraneous motivations.

You will find that my letter was extremely carefully written.  I clearly did
not ascribe you with responsibility for undermining the efforts of the
General Assembly.  In fact I did not make that ascription to anyone in
particular.  I wrote:

> > However, it is apparent to me, at least, that there has been a concerted
> > effort to undermine the efforts of the General Assembly both internally
> > and externally.  Any proposal, such as that for the Individuals
> > Constituency, which has grass-roots support, is sidelined or ignored.
> > My expertise could be useful to draw these issues together in a
> > constructive way.

It looks as if we got off to a bad start here.  I suggest we start over.

> I repeat what I said earlier -- I do
> hope you, the GA, and the DNSO can find some way for you to come to
> Stockholm. Maybe then we meet and get to understand each other's
> views better. I am sure you have a lot to offer as co-chair of the
> GA, -- and that is why you have been elected -- and I would look
> forward to working with you.

I certainly appreciate your words of comfort.  I would be even more
appreciative if you were to assist further in finding some way for me to
come to Stockholm.  I believe I have a lot to offer as Alternate Chair (we
try to avoid the expression "Co-Chair") of the General Assembly.

More importantly I am enormously impressed by the talent, energy and
dedication of the members of this assembly.  They are very capable and
competent people.  I truly believe that with the proper focus, and a modicum
of support from ICANN, the GA will achieve outstanding results.

I look forward to being able to channel this energy in the right direction.

> Stuart

Sincerely
Patrick




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